The Hesper community could start losing gravel roads and gaining paved ones this summer.

Douglas County commissioners approved a resolution in early April to proceed with a road improvement project for the area. The resolution also states how the 40 property owners in the community will be assessed for the road improvements.

“We’ll begin taking bids and lining this up for construction,” Commissioner Bob Johnson said.

The county will begin accepting bids for the project in May. About three miles of road would be paved as part of the project. The paved areas would be near the intersection of North 1100 and East 2300 roads.

Residents in the Hesper community, which is in Eudora Township, formed a road improvement district with the consent of the Douglas County Commission. Some community members wanted their roads paved because of traffic and problems with dust.

By creating a road benefit district, the initial road improvement project would be funded by the residents, along with the upkeep and maintenance of the roads. Property owners will pay assessments for the improvements over a 10-year period.